Electronic meter for an exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

Electronic meter for an exercise apparatus wherein the body mass index (BMI) and the standard heart rate parameter list are stored in a microprocessor of the electronic meter. After the user inputs his personal basic data (such as height, weight, gender, age, etc.), the microprocessor will determine the weight difference for the user. According to this result, an optimal exercise session suitable for the user will be automatically determined and executed. When the microprocessor executes the exercise session program, the “constant wattage” serves as an exercise response parameter for the sports apparatus. According to the speed of the sports apparatus operated by the user, the resistance level and the total operation time of the sports apparatus can be adjusted at any time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Fields of the Invention

The invention relates to an electronic meter for an exercise apparatus,and more particularly, to an electronic meter in which the “constantwattage” serves as an exercise response parameter so that the operatorcan exactly conduct the exercise session to achieve the expectedexercise effect.

2. Description of the Related Art

As shown in FIG. 1, a prior art of U.S. Pat. No. 6,967,904 (disclosed bythe same applicant of the invention and titled: “ELECTRONIC WATCH FORSPORTS APPARATUS) proposed a microprocessor (not shown) installed in anelectronic meter 20 of an exercise apparatus. An optimal exercisesession for a particular user will be automatically determined by use ofthe body weight difference between the particular user's real weight anda preset international standard body weight. In this way, the particularuser is able to fully conduct the proper exercise and training forachieving the expected exercise effect.

The above-mentioned object is indeed a practical product in use and theresults are very remarkable. In addition, it ensures a long-term use andis well accepted by users by gaining trust of consumers. However, along-term observation by the inventor shows that it often happens thatthe users can't fully conduct the whole exercise session which is set bythe built-in program in the microprocessor just due to their ownphysical factors or any other factors. Thus, the final exercise resultsare affected slightly and/or negatively.

The above-mentioned problem is caused by users themselves who can'tfully meet the requirements of the exercise session. However, themanufacturer should also do their best to possibly assist the users toachieve the expected exercise effect in the most natural and easy waysuch that it can be regarded as an excellent sports apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an electronic meter for anexercise apparatus in which the “constant wattage” serves as an exerciseresponse parameter. According to the speed of the sports apparatusoperated by the user, the resistance level and the total operation timeof the sports apparatus 10 can be adjusted by an microprocessor at anytime so that the operator can exactly conduct the exercise session toachieve the expected exercise effect.

According to the invention, the body mass index (BMI) and the standardheart rate parameter list are stored in a microprocessor of theelectronic meter. After the user inputs his personal basic data (such asheight, weight, gender, age, etc.), the microprocessor will determinethe weight difference for the user. According to this result, an optimalexercise session suitable for the user will be automatically determinedand executed. When the microprocessor executes the exercise sessionprogram, the “constant wattage” serves as an exercise response parameterfor the sports apparatus. According to the speed of the sports apparatusoperated by the user, the resistance level and the total operation timeof the sports apparatus can be adjusted at any time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description and its accompanyingdrawing of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described in more detail hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings that show variousembodiments of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic meter 20 is installed on the sportsapparatus 10. The body mass index (BMI) and the standard heart rateparameter list are stored in a microprocessor (not shown) of theelectronic meter 20. After the user inputs his personal basic data (suchas height, weight, gender, age, etc.), the microprocessor will determinethe weight difference for the user. According to this result, an optimalexercise session suitable for the user will be automatically determined.

When the microprocessor executes the exercise session program, the“constant wattage” serves as an exercise response parameter for thesports apparatus.

According to the speed of the sports apparatus 10 operated by the user,the resistance level and the total operation time of the sportsapparatus 10 can be adjusted at any time.

In other words, the above-mentioned “wattage” is the amount of “work”done by the operator and applied to the sports apparatus 10. Thisquantitative value is obtained by a basic physics formula with threeelements of movement speed, movement resistance and movement time.Thereafter, the calories consumed by the operator can be calculated bymeans of the above-mentioned “work”. In short, when the “constantwattage” of the sports apparatus 10 is set, the operator is asked toapply a certain amount of “work” to the sports apparatus 10. That is,when the exercise speed of the operator becomes slower, the exerciseresistance will be enhanced and the exercise duration will be increased.The microprocessor will automatically and reversely adjust the exerciseresistance and the exercise time at any time.

An optimal exercise session for a certain user will be automatically setaccording to the above-mentioned body weight difference. At the sametime, the “constant wattage” serves as an goal for an exercise session.The user only needs to exercise and complete the exercise sessionwithout worrying about other relevant factors such as speed, resistance,or time. In this way, the exercise effect may be easily, convenientlyand reliably achieved.

Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of theinvention can, of course, be carried out without departing from thescope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and theuseful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic meter for an exercise apparatus,wherein the body mass index and the standard heart rate parameter listare stored in a microprocessor of the electronic meter, and wherein,after the user inputs his personal basic data, the microprocessor willdetermine the weight difference for the user, and wherein, according tothis result, an optimal exercise session suitable for the user will beautomatically determined and executed, characterized in that, when themicroprocessor executes the exercise session program, the “constantwattage” serves as an exercise response parameter for the sportsapparatus, and wherein according to the speed of the sports apparatusoperated by the user, the resistance level and the total operation timeof the sports apparatus can be automatically adjusted at any time.